RECOVERY PLAN FOR - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE RECOVERY PLAN
FOR Lipochaeta venosa AND Isodendrion hosakae
Current Status of Species: Lipochaeta venosa and Isodendrion
hosakae are both federally listed as endangered species. The
distribution of these species is limited to seven sites in the
South Kohala District on the island of Hawaii. Six of these sites
are located on the Parker Ranch, and one is located on Hawaiian
Home Lands.
On the Parker Ranch, populations of Lipochaeta venosa occur on
five cinder cones, while Isodendrion hosakae occurs on two of
these sites and at one additional cinder cone. There may be only
a few dozen I. hosakae plants remaining. According to the last
survey, the estimated number of L. venosa plants on the Parker
Ranch range from 24 to approximately 2,000 at each of the five
sites where they occur. Most Parker Ranch sites have not been
surveyed since 1982.
On Hawaiian Home Lands, Lipochaeta venosa occurs at one site.
This population, discovered in June 1993, is estimated to consist
of more than 100 individuals.
Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors: These plants are
located on the western slope of Mauna Kea, a long-dormant volcano.
The area is typically dry and windy. The soils of the region are
well drained and their composition is largely determined by the
volcanic cinder or ash materials. The Livochaeta venosa
population located on Hawaiian Home Lands occurs on the gentle
slope of a cinder hill. At the Parker Ranch, both species occur
on the steep slopes of cinder cones. The latter is interpreted as
an indication that these steep cones are havens from grazing
animals, not necessarily preferred habitats. Research needs to be
conducted to determine habitat requirements for both species.
Threats to these taxa include grazing and trampling by cattle and
feral ungulates, competition from introduced plant species, fire,
and cinder mining.
Recovery Objective: Dowrilist to threatened status.
Recovery Criteria: These species may be downlisted when
identified threats are controlled for the population on Hawaiian
Home Lands, and when identified threats are controlled for the
populations on the Parker Ranch and both species are established
on all six Parker Ranch sites where one or both now exist. All
populations must be naturally-reproducing, include seedlings,
juveniles, and adults, have an age distribution allowing for a
stationary or growing population size, and be maintained for at
least 10 years.
The eventuality of delisting appears unlikely as the prevalence of
fire-promoting fountain grass and continuation of ranching in the
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